Sunshine, strawberries and a very special summer celebration at Horatio’s Garden

Some volunteering days stay with you because of the difference you can see being made. Others stay with you because they are full of joy, companionship and laughter. Our afternoon at Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville was both.

I joined my colleagues from the Spinal Injury Team, Kim, Morgan, Matt, at Horatio’s Garden to help with a summer celebration for those receiving inpatient rehabilitation at the spinal unit and their families.

As soon as we arrived it was clear this was going to be a very special afternoon – the sun was shining, the vibrant flowers were in full bloom and there was a real summer festival feel in the air.

More than just a garden

Horatio’s Garden offers a space at hospital away from the clinical environment, where people with spinal injuries can spend time outdoors, see family and friends and simply enjoy being together. We’re privileged to be the charity’s regional partner for the gardens in Stoke Mandeville and London and South East and support these gardens in any way we can including at events, fundraising and volunteering (which often includes homemade cakes!).

A summer celebration to remember

I loved watching everyone having such a good time at the summer celebration. It was clear that Joanna, Patient Experience Manager, and the team of volunteers had put a great deal of thought and care into making the day so special.

There was live music from not one, but three different sets of musicians, and plenty of song requests from around the garden. Before long there were heads nodding, some feet tapping and more than a few little moves to the music.

And there was the food…

The volunteers produced an impressive selection of homemade pizzas covering all flavours and dietary needs. These were followed by ice cream, cakes and a delicious combo of strawberries, cream and tiny pink meringues. Kim and I brought along a few cake creations of our own, which we regularly do on our volunteer days with Horatio’s Garden.

Morgan and Matt, meanwhile appeared to have found their calling behind the mocktail bar. The drinks were deliciously refreshing and looked rather fabulous too!

We spent much of the afternoon rushing around with pizzas, drinks, cakes and ice cream and it was a privilege to be part of something that created so much enjoyment.

Spinal injury recovery is more than treatment and rehabilitation

For those spending a significant period of time in a spinal injury centre, occasions like this offer the chance to enjoy an afternoon outdoors with family and friends away from treatment and rehabilitation – something that can be just as important for their recovery. I think those moments can carry real importance in the journey of physical and mental recovery after a spinal cord injury.

It was also a reminder that volunteering is not always about doing something dramatic; in fact, often it’s about helping to make an ordinary afternoon feel a little more joyful and memorable.

There was also a very special moment during the afternoon when the High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire paid a surprise visit to present an award recognising the fantastic achievements of the Garden’s patient experience manager, Joanna, and the wonderful team of volunteers who go above and beyond to create many memorable moments for the patients in the spinal unit and their families.

We went home tired but with a big smile on our faces and very pleased to have helped create an afternoon that brought so many people together.